934th Airlift Wing (AFRC) Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air ...

[Pages:16]VIKING FLYER

934th Airlift Wing (AFRC) Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air Reserve Station, Minn. February 2008 Vol. 30, No. 2

Space A rises again

Commentary

Stray shots: part II

By Lt. Col. Theodore Ruminsky 934th Security Forces Squadron Commander

Who doesn't like a classic quote? We often quote coworkers and lines from movies when reminiscing about something funny or profound. But if you look beyond the delivery of the message, there is often a point to be made in the content. Sometimes these quips, or one-liners, can serve to remind those around of the deeper message that you actually intend to convey. In all of our relationships, there are those close to us that understand what we mean with a simple comment, where a simple phrase speaks volumes.

As we prepare for our ORI this Spring, I offer several quips based upon my own experience for your consideration. They are each accompanied by a brief explanation. Most of these concepts are not original; you've probably heard them before in some form or fashion. Perhaps in this form, they are easily encapsulated and exportable for your use: 1) Don't ever accept a "no" from someone not qualified to say "yes." No is the easy answer. It often requires little to no risk on the part of the person impersonating a road-block. If you need a "yes," you, or anyone you pass the standard to, must be speaking to the person that has the actual authority to say "Yes." Otherwise you will not affect change. When you are at the ORI, and you call another office requesting the support you need, support that will cause failure if you don't get it, make sure you are talking to someone with the actual authority to make the tough call. 2) Always get the plate. This is a cop thing, but applies universally. It refers to being able to identify a vehicle and its registered owner. In this context, it means "identify the source." How often have you heard someone say, "They told me I couldn't." Who is "they," what's their name, position, contact information, etc. You cannot engage on an issue, nor can your supervisor, if no one knows where to start. IE: Get the name of the person that said, "no" so your supervisor can follow up. Get the plate. 3) Details count. Is the weapon properly cleared?

Have all Squad Leaders physically inspected their troops to ensure there are no live rounds before issuing blank ammunition? Did you proof-read the memo you sent up to your commander? Did you use spell check on that EPR? Did you use "Tongue and Quill" format? Do you render proper customs and courtesies as you roam around the installation? Did you properly annotate your timecard or leave paperwork? Do not confuse paying attention to details with micromanaging. Not paying attention to details can lead to mission failure, micromanaging doesn't. Sloppy work can be contagious and cause needless delays. When supervisors stop paying attention to details they validate and passively accept the lower standards. Passive acceptance equals approval. If you can't do the simple things right, how can I trust you to do the complex or more hazardous ones correctly? So if you see details being overlooked at Gulfport, so will the IG. Overlooking details is to the IG, as blood in the water is to a shark. The IG will look harder for problems that they will assume must be there if you don't pay attention to details.

4) Show up. This is about loyalty. Sometimes, 90% of the battle is just being there when needed. Who can you truly depend upon in your life? At work? Who will be there when everyone is cold, hungry, tired and we need a volunteer? When your unit is being overrun, and all hope is fleeting, who will come find you alone in your fighting position, jump in and split their last magazine of ammo with you? More likely, and less dramatic, are the day-to-day administrative ambushes. We've all been there. Its a couple minutes prior to shift change and you overhear someone comment that a key project is not done or the EOC levies a task. You can pretend not to hear and try to sneak out in hopes of escape or you can choose to show up and help. Do you accept responsibility or do you avoid it at all costs? Quitting is easy. I want people that show up on my team.

5) Full-up rounds. Happiness is a dry fighting position and a full magazine. This one is actually more to do with being prepared. Are you "good to go," is everything prepared? However, another common usage is preparing your supervisor to engage on an issue that you cannot deal with at your own level. If you have a problem and need your boss to get it fixed, give him/her a full magazine, meaning you do the research to provide them with the background and regulatory references they need to quickly assess, understand and engage on the issue. Don't bring them an empty magazine by giving them a problem that they will have to figure out for themselves. Next time you bring an issue to your boss, make sure you are full-up rounds so you can answer their questions, so that they can be full-up rounds when they engage your issue. Anyone can be a critic, they are a dime a dozen. Be a contender, show up full-up rounds.

Continued page 4

2 VIKING FLYER

Photo by Master Sgt. Paul Zadach

Like father like daughter

Tech. Sgt. Julie Schwebke is commissioned a 1st Lieutenant as she is given the oath by her father, Maj. Gordon Wix, both members of the 934th Airlift Wing. The new lieutenant has nine years of service and her father, who was also prior enlisted, has more than 23. Lieutenant Schwebke will work as a Medical Service Corps officer with the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron where her father serves as a flight nurse.

The 934th Airlift Wing has

won the Air Force

Outstanding Unit Award

All military members who served in the 934th between Sept. 1, 2005 - Aug. 31, 2007 are authorized to wear the AFOUA ribbon.

EDITORIAL STAFF 934th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Timothy E. Tarchick

NCOIC/Editor Master Sgt. Paul Zadach

PA Specialists Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch Master Sgt. Kerry Bartlett Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Williams Staff Sgt. Michael Edmond Photographers Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommer Staff Sgt. Joshua Nason

February 2008 3

Commentary cont. from page 2

6) You can't train attitude. I

bottom line of all decision-making.

qualify this one by saying, yes, you

Sometimes a policy or procedure just

actually can train attitude, albeit with doesn't make sense. If you apply

enough time and the proper motivation. common sense and logic to the issue,

Generally speaking, in the Reserve, we how does it stack up? If it doesn't

don't always have the luxury of either. pass the test, work toward change.

It's the Bell Curve theory applied to

Local issues are the easiest to address,

people; some will be stellar performers but even things in AFIs can be bad

and some are just destined to be

ideas, if not plain wrong.

oxygen thieves. Therefore, what I tell

10) Address the issue, not the

my subordinate supervisors is to hire/ symptoms. All too often I see supervi-

select personnel based upon attitude sors directing compensatory measures

above all else. I have seen people with to address the symptoms of an issue

skills and resumes that walk on water without working on the issue itself. If

yet turn out to be "No-Go's" when you you address the symptoms, the issue

need them most. We can train just

will not go away....it will continue to

about anyone to do just about any-

fester until someone finally addresses

thing, but a poor attitude can be

the underlying issue.

contagious and bring others down.

One example of this is when one

Someone with a great attitude can be a member of a team is not carrying their

force multiplier.

share of the workload. It is often easier

7) Don't bring a pistol to a rifle for a supervisor to re-assign work from

fight. This simply means you need to the non-performer to other team

select the correct tool for the job. IE: members. Re-assigning the workload is

Don't bring a shovel when you really only a band-aid on a bullet hole. In

need a backhoe. It can also apply

extreme cases, removal or administra-

metaphorically, for up-channeling

tive demotion, to a rank more commen-

issues that really need to go to the next surate with their abilities, is appropriate

higher level of supervision. You may for non-performance. Conversely, great

want to carry the standard, but

performance needs to be rewarded.

sometimes we all experience the need

Think of a dog-sled team. You

for more horsepower to carry our

want to go faster, but you just can't

issues forward. Give the issue an

seem to reach top speed. What

honest assessment and don't be afraid happens if one dog isn't pulling, or

to pass the standard on to your boss. worse, is dragging its paws? The other

8) Trust your instincts. If it

dogs have to pull harder, often with the

doesn't seem right, it's probably not. I same ration of food as the dog that

often get an uneasy feeling whenever isn't pulling. The symptom is speed,

I'm uncomfortable with something that the issue is workload. Whipping all the

is about to happen. Usually it comes dogs to go faster is not only wrong, it's

when I'm getting briefed about a plan not sustainable. There should be a

or procedure. I often pause and the

reward for doing more than fair share,

briefer will try to reassure me with a,

just as there should be consequences

"It'll be fine, Sir" or "Don't worry, Sir, for those that do less. What if the

this is totally legal, we wouldn't get

lead-dog is pulling, but not in the right

you fired." Famous last

direction ? the infamous all thrust but

words...maybe not deliberately. There no vector situation? The symptom is a

have been occasions when I've

wandering course, the issue is leader-

surrendered to the advocate, ignored ship. Perhaps re-assignment to a

my instincts, and ended up regretting different position is appropriate, one

my decision later. I submit to you that where someone else can provide the

you should trust your instincts. If it direction. Usually there is another dog

doesn't feel right, you might want to in the pack that works hard and pulls in

more thoroughly research the issue at the right direction that would prefer the

hand.

view from the front.

9) Does it pass the common sense

In some cases you don't have time

and logic test? This is kind of the

to fix the issue, so you are forced to

address the symptoms. This is especially true in the heat of an ORI. The better option is the ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure theory. If you can, address your unit's issues before you get to Gulfport, because you'll have a whole new set once you get there for the ORI.

11) Establish expectations. For the ORI, the expectations have been made crystal clear: "Excellence is not our goal...it is our Standard." It's been said that if you aim at nothing you will surely hit it. Too true, but is starts with having a target. Supervisors play a critical role in team success by their establishment of expectations. It provides a target for the team. Team members must plan and adjust accordingly to meet or exceed the minimum acceptable standards. Supervisors then have a benchmark by which to evaluate performance. Everyone must be clear on expectations.

12) We succeed or fail together. The military is a team. Like any team sport, everyone has a position to play. The success comes from everyone collectively executing their duties and responsibilities. Take a sports team analogy, it doesn't matter if you are only in for one play or if you are in for the entire game, everyone has a role and everyone needs to execute their part of it for the team to succeed. The game is always made up of many plays. Your duty is to work hard and execute as best you can on every play you are in for. The beauty of a team is that sometimes your teammates can "pick you up" if you make a bad play. Nobody gets it right 100% of the time. But any great team will not leave one of their own "hanging" if they slip. This carries over to our partners from the 910 AW. Together, the 910th and the 934th are one team, the 922 AEW.

The concepts I have highlighted have served me well to this point. If you apply all the concepts listed above, it has been my experience that you can affect change. I hope that you might discover a nugget in there that you find useful and can add to your own axioms as you continue your preparations for the ORI and honing your war-time skills.

4 VIKING FLYER

Cops in blues

Courtesy photo

The 934th Security Forces Squadron takes a few moments to show off their Air Force pride in their Air Force blues following their annual service dress uniform inspection.

ORI Warrior skills schedule

February 2 February 3 March 1 March 2 March 27 March 28

1000-1300 1215

Weapons familiarization for all players Hazmat training

0800-1100 1215

Wing-wide ATSO X (TQT) - Everyone Increment Manager training

All day 1000-1300

Personnel and cargo processing -including alternates

Weapons familiarization for all players

0800-1100 All Day

SFS Selective Arming training Personnel and cargo processing

-including alternates

0800-0930

Commanders Call in fitness center

Rest of the day SABC, J-I-T training, Bunker training

All day

Transition point training, CCA training, other remaining training

Awards

Ms. Kristin Borntrager, Financial Analysis Officer & Civilian of the Year (GS-11 and above)

Mr. Jason Dunn, Financial Analysis Officer & Civilian of the Year (GS-10 and below)

Mr. Tim Tamlyn, Resource Advisor of the Year-Installation level

Please congratulate them when you see them.

WELL DONE Kristin, Jason and Tim!

February 2008 5

Comm passes photo ops to PA

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Edmond 934 AW/PA

The base photography and audiovisual personnel have been officially integrated with the 934th Public Affairs as of Oct. 1.

The merger has effectively consolidated photo and audiovisual into one unit to streamline its functions, said Master Sgt. Paul Zadach, the noncommissioned officer in charge of 934th public affairs.

"It's now a one stop shop," he added. "Now everything photographic is under the umbrella of public affairs."

"Public Affairs has absorbed two photographers into its unit, and are already reaping the benefits of it," said Sergeant Zadach.

"PA is learning the comm.skills, and former comm. photographers are learning the skills of PA. It gives PA personnel a wider knowledge base," he explained. "The merger will enable PA

to provide better

service to our custom-

ers because we now

have more people with

more skills."

Two of the larger

functions that PA is

now responsible for are

official photos and

passport photos. PA is

able to shoot both

types during the week

by appointment only.

During the Reserve drill

weekends, official

photos will continue to

be by appointment

only, but passport

photos will be from 8 to

10 a.m. on Saturday and

Sunday, and no

appointment is neces-

sary. Those who need

passport photos or

Tech Sgt. Bob Sommer trains PA specialists how

official photos need to to take an official photo using the photo studio

fill out an AF Form 833. which remains in the comm. building.

Photo by Master Sgt. Paul Zadach

Optimists primed for favorable forecast

Col. Tim Tarchick, 934 AW commander, speaks to the Richfield Optimist Club in January about the 934th's mission and positive impact in the community.

6 VIKING FLYER

Chem Warfare training gets facelift

New style to focus on hands-on approach, fewer PowerPoint presentations

By Staff Sgt. Michael J. Edmond

web-based course and be issued a certificate tion of 291 and 295 decontamination kits, a

934 AW/PA

four UTAs (four months) prior to attending donning and doffing of the chem gear area,

Starting this month, the Emergency Management Readiness Flight is slated to change the way it teaches the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive incidents course, otherwise known as chem. warfare training.

"The new method of teaching requires much more audience participation", said Senior Master Sgt. Doug Johnson, the training supervisor of the EMRF.

"I think hands-on training is always better than death by PowerPoint," added Johnson.

The current method of training requires Reserve members to first take a web-based Explosive Ordinance Recognition course prior to attending a PowerPoint-based chem warfare class that typically lasted between three and four hours.

The new program accomplishes EOR

the CBRNE SST class. This SST class is new and is a performance based hands-on training event." he added.

According to Sergeant Johnson, members will arrive at the SST with their chemical protection mask and chemical protection gear and immediately "MOPP up" or don their chem gear to start the course which is scheduled to take about two hours.

The new course is designed so members can go through several "stations" where they will see and touch the type of chemical equipment they could use in a deployed environment, Johnson commented.

"These stations include areas such as a mask inspection and wash area, a demonstration of M-8 and M-9 tape, a demonstra-

and a station that teaches members how to mark an area for Unexploded Ordnances and/or chemical contamination," he explained.

"This hands-on training is another way the 934th is ensuring its members are better prepared to deploy," said Col. Tarchick, the 934th Airlift Wing commander.

The web-based CBRNE Awareness course is located online at the Advanced Distributed Learning Service web site under Course list/Emergency Management/ CBRNE Awareness.

Note: Due to the high volume of users, the web-based course may not function properly. If that happens, contact your Unit Training Manager for an alternative solution.

SergeantS Upp & adam

training using a more comprehensive and

timely web-based course that has been

renamed "CBRNE Awareness." This new

course is divided into small modules that

can be completed in multiple settings, with

the program saving your progress after you

complete each defined section. This self-

paced course takes two to four hours to

complete, depending on the individual's

knowledge of the subject matter, said

Sergeant Johnson.

After completing the web-based

course, a copy of your training certificate is

to be given to the Unit Training Manager

who schedules you to attend a new

CBRNE Survival Skills Training class

within the next four months.

"Even though the CBRNE Awareness

class course can be taken as individual modules, you must finish all sections of the

Senior Master Sgt. Doug Johnson

Wanted: highly motivated applicants

The Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service is now seeking applicants to fill recruiting positions in locations across the globe.

"We're always looking for enthusiastic, qualified people. If you are motivated to excel, perform above the status quo, and are physically and morally fit this could be the career move you've been looking for," said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Schoch, chief of the AFRC Recruiting Service training branch.

The application process begins with a face-to-face interview with the local senior recruiter. If qualified, applicants need to submit a package to recruiting headquarters.

If selected, applicants attend a fiveday evaluation and selection course at Robins Air Force Base. The top candidates are afforded the opportunity to attend the challenging six-week long recruiter class held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

An initial recruiting tour of extended

active duty can last up to four years. Tour extensions are reserved for those

who "meet or exceed the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, appearance, integrity, production, and acceptance of responsibility," according to Chief Schoch.

For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Brendt Traicoff, the senior recruiter at the 934th Airlift Wing at (612) 713-5627, or call Master Sgt. Briana Ontiveros, the training NCO at headquarters, at (478) 327-0630.

February 2008 7

The sun rises again on Space A

Ground crews prep a C-130 that can carry up to ten Space A travelers.

Photos and story by

aware of, said Bruns, is that Space A

This recording will also give callers the

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Edmond

travelers are not guaranteed a ride home. number to the Air National Guard Space

934 AW/PA

Once they arrive at their destination, A hotline, which Reservists and retirees

Although Minnesota winters are harsh, and its one day of summer is unbearably hot and humid, thrifty and adventurous travelers like Earl Czech and his wife Rosemary will no longer be imprisoned in the clutches of the whimsical weather warden.

The 934th Airlift Wing began offering Space Available travel once again as of Oct. 1.

The 934 suspended Space A after the Sept. 11 attacks. After new regulations came out, the Travel Management Office took ownership of the Space A program, said John Bruns, the TMO and supply warehouse supervisor.

"The Space Available program is a privilege that certain armed forces people have a right to. If they have a desire to go from here to another Air Force base we are flying to, certain people have a right to sign up for that trip," explained Bruns.

One person taking advantage of those privileges is Earl Czech, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant of 20 years. He has crossed the Atlantic 54 times, most of them flying Space A, he said.

"It's nice to catch a flight from the 934. The night before you fly, you can stay at the lodge here, which is a first class facility," Earl commented.

they must sign up for the Space A flight may also use.

back home.

"The itineraries for the next month

"Travelers are always advised that come out the last week of the current

they may have to find their own way month," said Bruns.

back," added Bruns.

Once they find a flight, they will

Space A is open to all Reservists then need to call Bruns. He will put their

and military retirees. Only military

name on the list and start any necessary

retirees who are currently collecting

paperwork.

retirement pay are authorized to bring

When they are ready to fly, travelers

their spouse on Space A flights. Reserv- need to arrive at Base Operations,

ists don't need to be on orders to fly, building 821, two hours before the flight

but they are required to have a DD Form is scheduled to take off. Any bags they

1853, verification of Reserve status,

bring will be searched and the traveler

signed by their commander, said Bruns. will be wanded before boarding the

This form is valid for six months, he

aircraft.

added.

"All TSA travel rules apply, and

Travelers wishing to use Space A travelers must show their I.D.," said

must first call the Space A hotline to

Bruns.

check available flights for that month.

For Earl and Rosemary, the return of

Space A couldn't have come at a better

time. This year they celebrate their 50th

wedding anniversary. As they sit

patiently to board the C-130, the morning

rays of the sun creeping through the

windows remind them that this just isn't

the dawning of a new day; it's the

beginning of the rest of their life.

For other questions or to request

Space A, call John Bruns at (612) 713-

1519. The Space A hotline is (612) 713-

1741.

Earl Czech and his wife Rosemary The 934th does not offer overseas Space

One thing to remember and be

wait to board a Space A flight.

A flights.

8 VIKING FLYER

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